Loud mouth insight to the nothing and nowhere. Deep thoughts and questions that have no where else to go...

Two major questions I hear about Obama, the healthcare reform he has proposed and the American people:

1.) Who is going to pay for healthcare for the public and to reform the current system?2.) How will it impact Johnny Q Public

Let’s be honest here folks. Corporate America and the Rich will not be funding this endeavor. The rich did not become rich by giving out handfuls of cash to provide for a whole nation. They smartly have their money tied up in stuff and in offshore accounts. The rich don’t see the average person as their concern. The government will never touch it. No we are going to pay for it and our future generations to come.

The flipside to the coin is how will it affect good old me? Well if you are white upper middle to upper class college educated it will probably affect your pocket book some. A few changes may occur on how your insurance is run. Other than that you are cover as usual. You can go get your tummy tucks, breast implants and buy whatever procedure you need to save your life.

For those who are lower -middle class to poverty it means that some will have healthcare insurance for the first time. They don’t have worry about whether they should pay the bills or pay to have a test done. They can have the chance at being healthier individuals. They can get a yearly exam done. They can catch cancer before it consumes their whole body. Then they can turn around and be the productive society member they normally are without the concern of healthcare costs. Note just because one is in poverty doesn’t mean they are lazy and unwilling to try hard to change their situation. Fact is not everyone can be the CEO. That would be a form of socialism. And if you believe that this is just a demonstration of survival of the fittest then isn’t it sad that the fittest is only 4% of the American population. Especially since money seems to determine who is fit and who isn’t. Sucks to be the rest of the 96% doesn’t it.

Now don’t get me wrong. I in no way believe we are currently able to do Obamacare. Politicians are heavily influence by corporate America. I don’t believe I would like my healthcare options to be decided by any of them since their priorities will not be about me but about what pharmaceutical company is the highest bidder or what perk some insurance mogul provided. I am a person. I have a name. And I deserve adequate healthcare free from capitalistic gain. My health and well being should not be less important than your profits.

I also want to know when the government became a for profit organization. I hear that is part of the reason for healthcare reform is to stir up competition. Is there not already competition between the different insurance companies? I don’t believe they need competition but a good swift kick to the hind quarters to take care of their clients. Something that I think is just basic customer service. You take care of the client and the client takes care of you. What happened to that old value? The government was never meant to be a corporation. Why are we going that way now?

I would also like to say to my fellow Christians who I hear oppose nationalized healthcare. I don’t know if there should be nationalize healthcare but their needs to be something. I have heard quite a few say they don’t think they should have to pay for others. One question… what would Jesus do? Didn’t he say that we were to take care of each other? Stop being so darn greedy and do something. Yes you work hard for your money. Yes times are tight and tough. But don’t you believe that if you do the right thing God will take care of you. Is it right for some to have healthcare and be able to be taken care of and not others because they didn’t get the same opportunities or didn’t live the same life? Is that your fault? No but once again it isn’t about you it is about doing what is right. What would Jesus say? If you truly believe in Him I can’t believe you would tell others they aren’t worthy of quality of life. Don’t believe the stereotypes. Don’t live by the lies. If the answer for them isn’t nationalized healthcare then what will you do to help out. What will you do to be what Jesus intended, to love your neighbor as yourself. Ta ta for now…

What would you do if you found yourself ill, going to die and the only thing that would help is the selfless life gift from another person? Until recently I had never even considered it. I had talked with family and friends about being a donor, but had decided it wasn’t for me. The thought of giving a piece of my own body up when I die or even living scared me. It seemed so final. I wonder how many others feel close to what I felt.

I was looking up information about this and came across a few tidbits of info. There are more than 75,000 people in the United States waiting for a transplant. Only a quarter of those waiting will get a transplant that will save their life. (http://socialissues.wiseto.com/Topics/OrganDonation/) Before the more recent weeks I would have seen that number and it would have made me think. Thinking though just isn’t enough anymore. When it became more personal to me I could no longer sit back and let my fears, misconcepts and inaction keep me from doing the right thing.

I recently had an old friend reintroduced to me. When we were younger he was the goofy young kid who was a nice guy and a good friend. I don’t think I know of anyone who could say they didn’t like him. In getting to know him a bit again it turns out that he is currently waiting for a heart transplant. This nice guy is 8 months in on his wait time. I was curious about it one day, the ins and outs, and it turns out that unlike getting blood most transplant recipients wait for a donor of the same blood type. Not only do they normally wait for the blood type to match but other factors come into play as well. My friend not only must hope to be the 1 in 4 but also must match his donor with various other factors. This information really boggles my mind. I can’t even imagine how a transplant patient or donor family feels.

So I made the plunge. It was relatively easy folks. I signed up on two different sites. I wanted to make sure not only was my name in my local registry but also nationally. It was important because I have one of the rare blood types.

That means folks who have my blood type are less likely to get the organ they need. Here is one if you live in the USA: http://www.donatelife.net/ . Registering though isn’t enough. It is simple to do but you must also let your family know and if possible include it in a will. Also some states allow you to put that you are an organ donor on your driver’s license. You can also get a card and put it in your wallet in case you get into an accident. I also gave a card to my parents to help them to remember my wishes. These actions alone don’t guarantee your organs will be donated, but it does make the likelihood greater.No one wants to think about dying. I certainly don’t like too. This is more than about dying it is about living… and living on through others. What could be a greater way to leave this world? Ta ta for now…

I love Rock n Roll. Music in general just sets my mood and takes me to a different place. I was chatting with a few peeps about some tunes earlier today. The subject was about Chicago. I think this band is an all-time classic rock band with a killer horn section and magic guitarists. Take for instance the song “Saturday in the Park”. That song just makes me want to get up and twirl around like a little girl taking in the sunshine and freedom. If you have never had the chance to experience it please take a listen:

Did you feel it? See it? Yup the magical experience still happens every time. It reminds me of when I was little. We had a field that stretched between my house and the road that led to my grandparent’s house a mile away. When the grass was high and the sun played peek-a-boo in the sky, I would actually twirl round and round in that field soaking in the sensation. Sometimes there were castles to conquer or adventures to find. In the winter there were forts of snow to build and mazes to roam in. In one song I can go back to those moments and feel it all again. Who can beat that, right!

Another fun song that has me dancing in my seat is Rubberband Man. If I had a Friday song it would probably be this one. Who wouldn’t want to shake their tail feathers to that tune. Don’t believe me then check it out:

Rubberband Man – The Spinners (on Youtube)

I think I love the blue suits they are sporting almost as much as the song. Wiggle Wiggle Wiggle! You know you want to! Great tunes can just make my day! I hope these made yours. Ta ta for now…